Wanna host a ghost?
by George Kay
The Casper Ghosts, formerly the Casper Rockies, are looking for host families for the upcoming baseball season. The Ghosts begin play in the Pioneer League in June, and the ball club needs Casper families willing to host a ballplayer or two.
In visiting with various folks who have played a host role in past years, the experience is well worth the effort. The need for host families comes about because at the rookie league level, the players are not paid enough to be able to afford apartments.
The host family idea has proven to be beneficial for all concerned. Many of the young ballplayers will be away from home for the first time in their lives, and some parental-type guidance is very welcome. It is a fact that some of the players who started their professional baseball careers in Casper have now advanced up the ladder in the Colorado Rockies organization.
Many of these individuals have kept in contact with the folks who opened their homes to them during their rookie season. The local folks who have done that tell me it truly is rewarding and makes the summer baseball season much more memorable.
Anyone interested in more information on the “Host a Ghost” program is invited to attend a meeting on Thursday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Crest Hill School, or you can call Lynn at 472-0031 or Jerri at 262-9745.
There is no telling at this early point in the year just how the Ghosts will perform this season. Last summer, the Casper Rockies were not very competitive. Manager Tony Diaz is hoping the Colorado folks will provide him with a group of solid players who can turn the Casper club into a contender in the Pioneer League South.
It would be great if the Ghosts are a competitive team this season, but regardless of whether they win or lose, Mike Lansing Field should be a very busy place to be this summer.
That is because Matt Warneke and his staff have put together a dizzying array of promotions and associated events. Warneke is calling attention to four “spooktacular” fireworks shows and a visit by the famous San Diego Chicken as just a sample of the added attractions he has put together.
Personally, I prefer to just concentrate on the baseball, but I realize that minor league baseball exists because of the countless promotions and assorted gimmicks that get folks to attend the ballgames.
There can be no guarantee that the Ghosts will be any better than last summer’s Casper Rockies, but the new name and image have made it possible for Warneke to use his very active imagination to create some new attractions.
For example, the season opens on Friday, June 20, against the Idaho Falls Chukars, a rookie league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. All fans on hand will receive a Ghosts 2008 schedule magnet. And, as if that weren’t enough, the first 500 fans at the ballpark will receive Opening Day T-shirts.
That is just a sample of what is in store at Lansing Field this summer. And that first post-game Spooktacular Fireworks Show is scheduled for the following night, June 21.
It is my hope that the quality of baseball the Ghosts can provide is equal to the level of promotional excitement that is planned for the coming campaign. Well, it’s almost here, so let the fun begin.